A/N: Poor Chuck; he should have explained his comments to Bryce better when telling Sarah. Although he would never deliberately do so, he thoughtlessly upset her. Hopefully, the two of them will make up before he starts his new job.

Thanks for all the reviews so far, even those that thought Sarah getting angry with Chuck wasn't fair - a reminder that how we read a story is influenced by our own perceptions, not just that of the author.

Captainrick944 has kindly beta'd this for me, but of course any mistakes are still mine. I hope you're reading his Chuck story, "Orion Cyber Security Systems" which is much better than my ones.

Anger Management
Chapter 15: Losing Out

Sarah had been over with Ellie for twenty minutes. Chuck had been standing at the window looking over there all that time. He couldn't seem to move and felt like he was just waiting for his doom. If he could only get his legs to function, he should go over there, but no, there he stood. Immobile.

Then there was movement. The other apartment's door swung open and an angry-looking brunette stormed across the courtyard. Behind her, a very red-eyed Sarah Walker was trying to stop her or at least slow her down, but Eleanor Bartowski was not to be deterred. This was the moment Chuck regretted giving a spare key to his sister, which allowed her to open the door and barge in.

Chuucck!" growled Ellie as she stood in the entranceway.

He prepared himself. He'd suffered many a tongue lashing from his sister over the years. Most of these had been warranted, but occasionally she had gotten completely the wrong end of the stick and poked and prodded him with it unnecessarily. He felt right now, it may be justified. He hadn't talked to his lovely girlfriend before suggesting to Bryce there was some hope. Then again, neither did he commit to renewing their friendship; Sarah, however, did not know that and nor would Ellie.

Ellie started to advance on him. However, Sarah pushed past her and stood between her and Chuck. "No, Ellie. Don't do this. If you want me to ever tell you anything in the future, you need to back down. This is between Chuck and I. Do not get involved."

Ellie planted her fists on her hips and glared at Sarah. "He can't do this, Sarah. To either of you."

"Ellie, pleease," Sarah implored.

Ellie glared at the younger woman for a further minute, then her shoulders lowered. "Very well, but I better not hear of Larkin ruining anything further." She glared around Sarah at Chuck. "Or there'll be trouble here too."

She quickly turned and walked out of the apartment.

Sarah's breathed a sigh of relief.

She shook her head. "I needed comfort and thought Ellie would be the most understanding, but I underestimated how much she hates Bryce."

Chuck rushed out, "I'm sorry and didn't ask you what you thought before I started thinking I could let him back into my life. I just got wrapped up in how it affected me and forgot you were equally affected. Can you forgive me?"

She walked to him and wrapped her arms around him. From his chest, he heard her voice. "Yes. Can you forgive me for nearly unleashing Hurricane Ellie on you?"

He chuckled. "The way you headed her off was really impressive, Sarah. She really cares for you."

In a very small voice, Sarah asked, "Please, can we not let him into our lives, Chuck. I don't want to be sent to prison for murdering him."

Chuck didn't think that was likely but had no intention of finding out. He hugged her tightly and agreed.

He lifted her chin and looked at her. Her eyelids were very red, and her eyes rather blood shot. She had obviously cried a lot over in Devon and Ellie's apartment. It tore him apart. "I'm so sorry I made you cry, Sarah."

She nodded. "I know."

He didn't think he had been clear enough. "I love you so much. This is the last thing I ever want to do."

She reached up and pulled him into a kiss.

"Let's not talk about him anymore this evening, Chuck. Can we just eat and then watch a movie? I want to snuggle up on the couch with you."

"Me too."

It was Saturday morning.

Chuck didn't want to remember his alcohol consumption last night. Thankfully, he wouldn't be going back to the Buy More, so there was no chance of repeating the going away party.

Party was a strong word for the hastily pulled together drinking session.

He was so grateful to his wonderful girlfriend for rescuing him from Jeff and Lester at the nightclub they had dragged him to. Fortunately, Morgan had called the cavalry who had turned up in her trusty car and pulled him out of there. Fortunately, he didn't throw up in her car but had saved those gallons for the toilet in their apartment.

Now he was sitting drinking coffee. and trying to navigate his way back to reality. The six hours of sleep made no difference to his nearly destroyed system. He groaned.

"I've got you, Babe," Sarah whispered into his ear. He was so glad she kept her voice down. How could he have earned the affection of this angel?

"I love you so much, Sarah."

She kissed his cheek. "I love you too, Chuck."

I must do, she thought. To have stayed up all night keeping an eye on him to make sure he was ok.

She stayed with him for the rest of the morning before he drifted off to sleep on the couch. She rested her head on his shoulder, and then she too fell asleep.

Bryce had his visit with Diane Beckman the following Monday. Casey attended as well, seemingly her right-hand man. What clearly made him uncomfortable was Sarah's presence.

He was surprised when he walked into Beckman's office and was introduced to those there. "You-you're a Project Lead here?"

Sarah had been surprised when Diane had introduced her with that title but went along with it. She narrowed her eyes, but tried to keep her voice just this side of coldness. "I am."

Beckman didn't want this to go any further and could probably see Sarah's discomfort as well as his. "I thought her experience with your company would be useful."

He scoffed, then realized how that must seem. "It's a very different company now."

Beckman took that lead. "Tell us why you're here."

Bryce explained Volkoff's plans and desire to not move here just work with someone that did. The idea being they could capture pan American clients rather than regional ones. In exchange, he'd provide details of equivalent clients on the East coast.

"An interesting idea," Beckman said.

Bryce put on his most charming smile. "We think so too."

She continued, "However, we do not want to engage with your company at this time."

Bryce's face fell. He immediately looked at Sarah. "Have you been dissing the company because of us?" he accused.

Sarah was shocked that he would bring their previous relationship into this discussion. She turned to Beckman, who was sitting back watching them. "Have I, Mrs. Beckman?" She had decided a more formal tone was best here.

Beckman shook her head, then turned to Bryce and said in an icy voice. "Miss Walker is a very professional employee and has told me nothing but good things about Gateshead. I find your comment, however, very unprofessional, Mr. Larkin. I think this meeting is over." She glared at Bryce for a few seconds, then looked over at Casey, who stood, as did Sarah.

Bryce looked like he was going to protest, so Casey said, "Mr. Larkin." His tone said, 'move it.'

Bryce got up and said, "I am sorry if my reaction was less than you expected, but I thought this would have been an attractive proposition, so I sought a reason for you not being interested. My assumption was obviously wrong. I beg your forgiveness."

He said all this to Diane Beckman, who had started to look at papers on her desk. She put them down and looked up at Bryce. "I don't think it's me you should be apologizing to, Mr. Larkin. Good day." Having dismissed him for the second time, she looked back down at her papers.

Bryce finally got the message, and Casey ushered him out. Sarah was about to follow when the seated woman said, "Miss Walker, would you stay for a moment?"

Casey closed the door, and the two men could be heard walking off.

Diane looked up. "Please have a seat, Sarah."

Sarah was glad that Beckman was once again using her first name. Once she was seated, the following words were spoken. "I am sorry you had to see his behavior, Sarah. I confess that I wondered if you would unsettle him, which was the real reason for wanting you here. I apologize for that, too."

Sarah just smiled. "I am glad to help."

Diane Beckman obviously noticed the twinkle in Sarah's eyes as she said that and chuckled. She then teased Sarah, "So, no inclination to go back to him?"

Sarah could tell it was a tease, so didn't react as she had done with Casey days ago. "No, Diane. I don't know why I was ever with him in the first place."

"Good." Beckman then changed the subject. "I don't think he was involved in the attack. Do you?"

Sarah had hoped that he was, as it would be a clean ending to his intrusion into their lives. "No, I don't."

"Shame." She looked back at her work, then over to Sarah again. "I'm sorry, I do need to work through these. I think it's safe for you to leave now." Sarah frowned, not understanding, so Beckman continued, "You won't be getting accosted by Mr. Larkin."

Sarah smiled on hearing that. "Thank you, Diane."

As she walked away from the office, she realized she hadn't asked about the job title but decided it was just to put Bryce off his stride.

Chuck's first day at Beckman and Associates had been pretty busy so far. Arriving at 8:30 to run through the usual stuff with Human Resources was the first meeting. Several of those HR people welcomed him while also congratulating him on dealing with Daniel Shaw. It seemed that the man was not popular with that team. When he asked Anita Jones, the HR person running through everything with him, she told him why. "We are all glad to see the back of Daniel Shaw. The number of complaints we received about him." She shook her head.

"If people were complaining," he started, then realized that if he continued, he'd be criticizing her department, so he stopped.

She smiled. "Why didn't he get removed?"

He blushed and nodded.

"Unfortunately, he had a strong relationship with his clients. They liked him."

"Does that cause a problem now he's gone?"

She looked at him for a second. "Worried for your girlfriend?"

"Yes, but also the company."

"You'll have to ask Mrs. Beckman."

He knew Anita was the wrong person to ask.

She invited him to sit in a chair facing a camera on a tripod. "I will bring you your ID card as soon as it is ready."

Anita looked at her phone when it vibrated. "Apparently Casey is coming to reception and will meet you there in a couple of minutes." She finished the other topics quickly and led him to the reception area.

Casey was standing waiting. Chuck walked to him and was just shaking hands when the elevator door opened. He was surprised to see who walked out.

Casey had just said, "Good to have you onboard, Bartowski," when he noticed Chuck looking over his shoulder. He turned and saw who had arrived. "You left already," Casey snarled at Bryce.

Bryce wasn't listening. "Chuck?"

Chuck was about to answer, but Casey stopped him. He walked to the elevator, stood in front of Bryce, and challenged him, "Why are you back Mr. Larkin?"

Bryce snapped his attention to Casey. "I- I wanted to apologize to S- Miss Walker. I hoped she could be called to reception."

"Not on work time," Casey flatly stated. "Goodbye, Mr. Larkin." He reached in and pressed the first-floor button, and slipped his arm out as the doors closed. He then turned to Chuck. "Sorry about that."

"He has a way of turning up when least welcome," Chuck noted. "I take it from your tone that his overtures were not welcome."

"No." Casey evidently wasn't going to say anymore but relented when he saw the expectant expression on Chuck's face. "Let's just say he didn't impress. Talk to your girlfriend about it."

Chuck's expression changed to concerned. "She was there? He didn't just manage to bump into her?"

"She was there."

"He'll blame her for it going wrong," Chuck stated in a monotone voice.

Casey chuckled. "Already happened. None of us were impressed with that either."

"Oh God. She'll be in a bad mood," Chuck noted. "I will definitely have to leave with her."

Casey frowned. "Why?"

Chuck looked at his boss. "Bryce has become a stalker since arriving in LA. He'll be waiting for her."

"You're not worried about losing her, are you?"

Chuck shook his head. "Only if she kills him."

That got a laugh. "I do like Angry Sarah."

Chuck remembered the previous Friday. "Not good to be on the wrong side of her."

Casey slapped his shoulder. "Then don't."

Sarah had just finished a call with one of Daniel Shaw's clients. This woman, Janet Blake, had been most insistent that she talk to him. When Sarah said that he no longer worked there, Janet asked where he'd gone, admitting that it was a personal call. "I have no idea where he went." This was absolutely true. Sarah had heard nothing about him for some time now. "Apparently, he just upped and left." She didn't add that he was being escorted away by Feds.

The woman broke down at the other end of the line. Once her sobbing stopped, Sarah asked if there was anything she could do to help, also saying that if she heard anything from Shaw she'd tell him about Janet.

Janet sniffed, then said, "The bastard got me pregnant and now won't even call me!"

Sarah was shocked. "Ho- how long?"

"My husband died three months ago, and Daniel was here for his funeral." That triggered another sob.

Sarah could hardly believe either of them. Daniel for having sex with a woman at her husband's funeral, but also Janet doing that. She tried to keep that out of her voice. "So, Daniel knows?" Sarah gently asked.

"He denied it at first, but he was the only one."

Sarah had to try to keep the image out of her mind; an image of a line of men at the funeral waiting for their turn.

"What do you want me to pass on to him, Janet?"

"Tell him I have decided to keep the child, but he needs to contribute."

Sarah suspected he'd made all the contribution he was going to, but she said she would pass that on if he ever contacted them.

The call reminded her of a happier conversation about pregnancy. Chuck's question last week had surprised her, but although she was not sure she could be a good mom, the thought didn't fill her with fear.

She was sure that Chuck would make a great dad, and she would do her best to be a good mom. The thought of a little Chuck in her arms was quite appealing.

Of course, their relationship was too new to consider such a thing. She wouldn't want to be pregnant before they were even engaged.

A new spiral. She felt that they must be in a strong enough relationship to want to be engaged. She wondered what Chuck would think if she suggested it. Maybe she should. That brought a smile to her face.

Her cell phone rang. Seeing who it was, she quickly answered it, "Hi, Chuck."

"Lunch?"

She looked at her watch. "Sure."

"So, you met him again?" She didn't sound accusatory, so he just smiled.

"I shouldn't have; Casey timed it so that he would be gone, but he came back." Chuck looked up. "To apologize to you. Casey sent him packing. What did he do, Sarah?"

She finished what she was eating before starting. "He accused me of 'dissing the company because of our previous relationship.'"

"The bastard!" Chuck said, thankfully not too loud.

Sarah nodded, then added, "That was after Diane said she didn't want to engage with his company right now."

"The attack wasn't mentioned?" Chuck asked.

"No, but she doesn't think Bryce knows anything about that."

"Nor me," he commented. Then he broached the important topic. "He now knows where you work and probably realized I do too, even though I had yet to receive my ID pass. He will probably lurk, like he does, and try to collar us on our way out of here."

Sarah groaned. She thought Chuck was probably right but hoped not.

They sat in silence as they ate, both thinking about the person they least wanted to think about.

Just as Chuck had predicted, when the two of them left the office, there was Bryce Larkin outside waiting for them. Chuck really wished they had stayed late, but had really wanted to eat, so here they were, being confronted by Bryce again.

"Please, Sarah. Can I take you both to dinner to apologize to you?" Bryce rushed out before either of them could say anything.

Chuck had no intention of saying anything, so just looked at his love.

Sarah knew exactly what was going on in Chuck's head. She looked up at him and chuckled, then turned to Bryce and said, "Very well, but you'll have to take us looking like this; we're not going home to change."

She looked at Chuck again, noting his indulgent smile. She squeezed the hand she was holding.

Bryce looked a bit surprised that she accepted, then his smile appeared. "Great. What do you like to eat these days?"

The couple glanced at each other. Sometimes it felt like they could read each other's minds; either that or they really had just thought the same thing. "Thai," they said at the same time, then grinned at each other.

Maybe it was because there was a Thai restaurant within walking distance, but it didn't matter.

"Follow us," Chuck said to Bryce, and the couple walked passed him, still holding hands and leading him there.

They sat facing each other and hhad ordered food. They already had their drinks.

"I really am sorry about what I said in that meeting, Sarah. I was so shocked by what Mrs. Beckman said and wasn't thinking straight."

"Blaming Sarah for your failure," Chuck started and noticed Bryce's wince at the last word. "Is not acceptable, Bryce." Chuck's tone was as cold as Sarah had ever heard it.

Bryce looked down. "I know."

"What will happen now?" Sarah asked. Chuck squeezed the hand he had in his, under the table. This would help the company as much as them. He was glad he had plenty of room on his phone for another recording.

Bryce snorted. "After Jill hangs, draws and quarters me? Not sure. This was, according to Alexei Volkoff, just a speculative thing. As far as I know, nothing is hanging off of it."

Chuck asked. "They wouldn't try anything illegal, then?"

Sarah tensed, but Bryce didn't seem to notice. He frowned and answered, "Like what?"

"Try stealing clients?" Chuck responded.

Bryce chuckled. "That's not illegal, Chuck. That's what makes to world go round." Chuck was thinking of other things, but Bryce continued. "If there were… less acceptable methods, I still doubt it. Volkoff doesn't need that kind of thing making him look shady."

Chuck thought that would be precisely what Volkoff would do. He had checked up on Volkoff, who seemed far too successful in everything he did. Chuck doubted his riches were all gained legally. He wondered if Bryce had lost his smarts since Stanford. How did he think Volkoff had become as rich as he was? Good business sense just didn't seem enough.

This wasn't helping the investigations at all. Sarah took the conversation down a different path. "What are you going to do now, Bryce?"

Bryce was silent for a while. "I'll have to go back to NYC and discuss my…" he looked over at Chuck before continuing, "my failure with Jill and Volkoff. I think he will be okay about it, but afterward, she will lay into me about it. Then, I might leave the company. Maybe even move away." He looked at both of them and, with a wry smile, added, "Probably not to LA. It seems I'm not popular here."

Neither responded to that.

"What will Jill do?" Chuck asked nervously.

"She might come over and try again, but that's not really her style," Bryce replied. "Because it Involved work."

Sarah could see that the last comment didn't filter through to Chuck's brain. He was obviously nervous about Jill turning up. Sarah did not feel threatened by that, strangely. She felt secure in their relationship, but Jill obviously still affected him in some way. They would have to talk about that, but for now, she just tightened her grip on his hand.

Chuck looked at her and a smile formed on his lips. She had managed to break him out of his sudden funk.

Sarah turned to Bryce. "So, if she doesn't come here, what will she do?"

Bryce sat thinking for a few seconds. "She'll talk to Alexei and devise a new plan. Probably go for one of Beckman's competitors or some other West Coast city. Maybe up in Seattle."

Sarah wondered if this Jill had orchestrated the attack, so she asked, "How tech savvy is Jill? With computers, I mean."

Both men snorted, then looked at each other with smiles. Sarah found it somewhat upsetting seeing the two of them bonding, even if it was slight.

"She knows lab equipment inside out, but computers are not her thing," Bryce replied, and Chuck nodded. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious," Sarah replied but knew that was a weak answer.

Bryce didn't seem interested, though. "She is ruthless." He looked at Chuck. "You were too good for her, Chuck. Hell, even I'm too good for her." He looked at Sarah as he said the last part.

Sarah could hardly imagine anyone worse than Bryce.

Bryce's voice interrupted her thought. "How'd you meet?"

Sarah looked at Chuck as she wanted to be the one to answer this. He could tell that; part of their bond, she guessed. She turned back to her ex. "I came to LA after another shitty boyfriend." Bryce winced. "I met this wonderful guy in the Buy More. He helped me and offered to help more. I needed help, so I gratefully accepted it. As we got to know each other, we just gravitated together, and now, I for one, am not letting him go!"

She glanced at her boyfriend, who was looking lovingly at her. "I feel the same," he added.

Bryce nodded but said nothing.

Their food arrived before anyone spoke again. All three were hungry so they started to eat.

Neither Chuck nor Sarah wanted to be with Bryce any longer, so both ate quicker than normal, saying nothing. Bryce seemed deep in thought as well until he noticed the others had nearly finished their food. He pushed away his and looked at them. "I'm glad you found each other. You do seem to be a good match. I'm sorry I hurt both of you, and I do wish you both well together."

He chuckled. "I know you can find me, but I don't expect to receive an invitation to the wedding."

Both looked stunned, first at him, then at each other.

"Oh, come on. The way you look at each other, a wedding can't be far away." Bryce waved to a server. "I'm paying for their meals, but they may want more drinks or a desert. Can you put it on my card, please?"

He got up and stood for a while. "I have enjoyed seeing you both." He then took his card to pay, leaving two speechless people behind him.

Chuck stopped the recording, then looked at his girlfriend and asked, hesitantly, "Would you be willing to marry me?"

Sarah had been contemplating such an idea. It sounded like a wonderful continuation of what they already had, but to broadcast it to the world? She smiled at him. "I might," she teased, "but you'd have to ask better than that, Chuck."

He looked so disheartened when she said 'might' that she had to reassure him. "Oh, Chuck. You know you're the only one for me."

He looked happier. "Well, in that case, I better prepare a big proposal, then."

"Please, don't, Chuck. I don't like to be the center of attention and that sounds like I would be. Just you and me, when you do." Her eyes twinkled then. "Of course, I might beat you to it."

He pulled her into a kiss. A kiss that said, 'One day.'

Neither wanted to stay any longer, so they told the staff and left. Their held hands swinging happily as they went.

A/N: So, it looks like Bryce isn't staying. It also doesn't look like Bryce was involved in the attack, and seems doubtful that Jill was, either.

Thoughts?